After months of speculation, future Hall of Famer James "Lights Out" Toney made his proposed bout with cruiserweight contender Denis Lebedev official when he traveled to Russia to put pen to paper and announce the fight over the weekend. "I told you I would call you from Russia when I put my name on the piece of paper. It's on," stated Toney, who contacted FightHype.com earlier today with the news. Toney, who is now a lot thinner than the heavyweight frame he sported in his last fight, was offered the fight at a catchweight, but he refused in order to avoid any potential excuses following the outcome of the showdown.
"I didn't want a catchweight. I want him at his weight class. Shit I may be smaller than him by fight time. I may weigh in at 197 pounds or so when it's all said and done. I don't want any excuses after I whoop his ass," Toney explained. It's no secret that the cruiserweight division is much more popular in Europe than it is here in the United States, but according to Toney, the treatment he's receiving in Russia is second to none. "These fans and media over here know that I'm not Roy Jones Jr. when it comes to fighting. I have a lot more left in the tank than Jones did when he came over here to fight Lebedev. He was done. They treating me like 50 Cent over here in Russia. Wait until I come to do the press tour. They will love me."
Lebedev was last seen knocking out Roy Jones Jr. in May with just 2 seconds remaining in their 10-round bout. Toney, who has twice as many knockouts (44) as Lebedev has wins (22), hasn't been in the ring since February when he won a unanimous decision victory over Damon Reed, when he weighed in at a career high of 257 pounds. Toney will now be returning to the cruiserweight division, a division in which he hasn't fought in since 2003. This fight will also mark only the second time Toney has traveled outside of the country for a fight as a professional in his 84-fight career. The first time was over 20 years ago when he fought in Monaco.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]